Wiring Your Downrigger, Connecting to the Battery

WIRING YOUR DOWNRIGGER

Wiring Your Downrigger

Your Boat's Electrical Condition

It is important to make sure that your boat is properly set up before installing your Mag 20 DT with Positive Ion Control (PIC). Whenever a boat is in water, various submerged parts interact to create weak electrical currents. These weak electrical currents must be controlled to extend the life of the boat's metal parts and ensure a good fish catching environment.

Check the zinc sacrificial anodes on your boat and on the outboard/outdrive. If they are more than 50% dissolved they should be replaced. Any coating of slime or growth should be cleaned off. All metal parts including the hull (if metal) must be interconnected by a grounding wire. This includes motor shafts, outdrives, and through hull fittings.

If your boat and zincs are set up correctly, the voltage on the stainless steel downrigger wire of your Mag 20 DT should be positive when in contact with the water. The following tips can be useful:

•Use Cannon vinyl coated lead weights. Lead, if not pure, can produce negative charges.

•Use the trolling weight insulators supplied with your downrigger. This insulates your weight from the positive charge on the cable. This will also ensure that the trolling weight will stop at water level when retrieved.

•The cable on your downrigger should be replaced every 2 years. Etching of the cable can weaken it physically and electrically.

•In saltwater, make sure the sacrificial zincs are replaced when half dissolved. This ensures that the boat will run with a neutral or slightly positive charge. Clean zincs on a regular basis with a non-corrosive brush.

•Always make sure the boat is properly grounded to the water. This will help ensure proper PIC voltage on the cable and that the Short Stop will function properly.

Note: You must unplug the Mag 20 DT to check the natural voltage on the reel cable.

Electrical Specifications & Wiring Instructions

The Mag 20 DT is rated at 25 amps (full load),

12 volts DC and is protected by a 30 amp manual reset circuit breaker (located under motor housing). Be sure to measure the battery voltage of your boat.

WARNING! - DO NOT RUN THIS DOWNRIGGER ON A 24 VOLT BATTERY SYSTEM. THIS WILL DAMAGE THE UNIT AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

Connecting to the Battery:

It is strongly recommended that a fuse or manual-reset circuit breaker be installed at the battery on the positive lead of the power cable or that you connect the downrigger to a battery selector switch. (See Fuse and Wire Specifications) Connect the positive lead (RED) to the (+) post on your battery or the downrigger will not operate. Use the new quick disconnect plug to remove the downrigger without touching the battery.

NOTE: It is strongly recommended to power your Mag 20 DT with a Deep-Cycle marine battery. Only run a Mag 20 DT from a Starter battery if is recharged by an alternator while trolling with the outboard motor.

Tip: Control degradation of the power cables and limit corrosion by using Cannon Ox-Notanti- oxidant gel on all connections.